Learn Korean: Words Enter Oxford Dictionary

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Korean Reading Practice

Words Enter Oxford Dictionary

Date: January 07, 2026

Introduction

This lesson is about Korean words that have recently been added to the Oxford Dictionary. Learning about how Korean language spreads worldwide helps you understand Korean culture better. This text introduces you to important Korean words that English speakers now use and recognize.

Vocabulary

Korean Romanization Meaning Example
사전 sajeon dictionary 한국어 사전을 봐요.I look at a Korean dictionary.
단어 daneo word 새 단어를 배워요.I learn new words.
추가되다 chugadoeda to be added 단어가 사전에 추가되었어요.A word was added to the dictionary.
한국어 hangugeo Korean language 한국어는 재미있어요.Korean is interesting.
문화 munhwa culture 한국 문화를 좋아해요.I like Korean culture.
음식 umsik food 한국 음식은 맛있어요.Korean food is delicious.
유명하다 yumyeonghada to be famous 김치는 유명해요.Kimchi is famous.
세계 segye world 세계 사람들이 한국어를 배워요.People around the world learn Korean.
최근에 choegeune recently 최근에 새 단어가 많아요.Recently there are many new words.
영어 yeongeo English language 영어 사전에 한국어가 있어요.Korean is in English dictionaries.
라면 ramyeon instant noodles 라면을 먹어요.I eat ramyeon.
선배 seonbae senior; elder 선배를 존경해요.I respect my senior.

Reading Text

최근에 한국 단어들이 영어 사전에 추가되었어요.

Recently, Korean words have been added to English dictionaries.

한국 문화가 세계에서 유명해졌어요.

Korean culture has become famous around the world.

라면, 김치, 선배 같은 단어들이 있어요.

Words like ramyeon, kimchi, and seonbae are included.

이 단어들은 한국 생활을 나타내요.

These words represent Korean life.

영어를 배우는 사람들이 한국어도 배워요.

People learning English also learn Korean.

한국 음식과 문화는 정말 특별해요.

Korean food and culture are really special.

세계 사람들이 한국을 더 좋아하고 있어요.

People around the world are liking Korea more and more.

Grammar Points

-고 있다 be ~ing

Attached to a verb stem to express an ongoing action (be ~ing). Formed by adding -고 있다 to the verb stem.

📖 세계 사람들이 한국을 더 좋아하고 있어요. People around the world are liking Korea more and more.

✏️ 저는 지금 한국어를 공부하고 있어요. I am studying Korean right now.

-게 되다 come to / end up

Expresses a change of state — 'came to be / ended up becoming'. Here 유명해지다 (become famous) in past tense shows the result of a gradual change.

📖 한국 문화가 세계에서 유명해졌어요. Korean culture has become famous around the world.

✏️ 저는 한국 음식을 좋아하게 되었어요. I came to like Korean food.

Cultural Notes

Korean culture has experienced a global surge in popularity over the past decade, often called the "Korean Wave" or "한류 (hallyu)." This phenomenon includes Korean food (like kimchi and ramyeon), entertainment (K-pop and K-dramas), and social concepts (like the senior-junior relationship expressed by "선배"). The inclusion of Korean words in major English dictionaries reflects how deeply Korean culture has integrated into global consciousness, making Korean language learning increasingly relevant and practical for international speakers.

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📝 Comprehension Questions

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Q1

What has happened to Korean words recently?

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Q2

Name three Korean words that were added to English dictionaries.

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Q3

Why do you think Korean words are being added to English dictionaries?

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Q4

What do these Korean words represent?

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Q5

Are people around the world interested in Korean culture?

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